Come down from the cross.
—Matthew 27:40
“Those who passed by hurled insults at [Jesus], shaking their heads and saying, ‘You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!’” (Mt. 27:39–40).
These rowdy gawkers had rushed to the hill to view the ghastly execution—picking up the abusive chant: “If you are who you say you are, the Son of God, prove it by coming down from the cross.”
He could have—could have dropped from the cross and pulverized the mob with a snap of his finger. But he didn’t. With silent resistance, he rejected their challenge.
For their sake—and ours—he stayed on the cross.
Staying on the cross was a
sign of strength, not weakness.